How to Sew Straight by Hand

Everyone should have a few basic sewing skills and the straight stitch might be the best to learn. You don't need a sewing machine if you're stitching by hand. Instead, practice with a scrap of fabric, a sewing needle, and thread. Play around with sewing straight stitches that are different lengths before you try sewing a straight line. Your new skills will come in handy the next time you need to sew on a button, join a few pieces of fabric, or make a decorative border.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Making Straight Stitches

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1
Choose a sewing needle and thread that matches the color of your fabric. If you can't find matching thread, use a slightly darker color so it doesn't stand out. You should be fine using a standard sharp sewing needle for most projects. Sharp needles are medium length and have a round eye which makes it easy to thread.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Although sharp sewing needles work for most projects, you can use embroidery, beading, or tapestry needles depending on your project.
2
Thread the needle and tie a knot in the thread. Cut an 18 to 30 in (46 to 76 cm) length of thread and push 1 end through the eye of your sewing needle. Then, make a basic knot at the opposite end of the thread. You can knot it a few times if you want your thread to be more secure.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you struggle to thread the sewing needle, buy a needle threader. Push the pointed wire end of the threader into the eye of your needle and insert the thread through the gap. Then, pull the threader away from the needle so the thread works into the eye.
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3
Use a ruler and chalk to draw a guideline for a perfectly straight line. To help you sew straight stitches, lay a ruler on your fabric where you want to create your stitch line. Then, run chalk along the edge to make a faint guideline that you can sew along.^{[3]XResearch source}
- You could also use a tailor's pencil or sewing pencil. Both of these have sharpened points that make marking simple and the markings are easy to get out of the fabric when you're done.
- Pat the chalk marks off of the fabric with your hand or wash the material to remove tailor's pencil marks.
4
Bring the needle up from the bottom of the fabric. Hold your threaded needle on the wrong side of the fabric right where you want to make your straight stitch. Push the point of the needle up through the fabric. Keep pulling it straight up until the knot catches on the back of the fabric.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Pull the thread slowly through the fabric. If you pull it quickly, the thread can tangle and make a knot.
- Don't pull too tightly when you feel the knot or you might accidentally pull the knot through the fabric.
5
Push the needle down to make 1 straight stitch about ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm) long. You can make your straight stitch any size you like. Try making stitches that are ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) long for practice. Place the point of the needle on the surface of your fabric and push it through to the underside. Pull the needle underneath to draw all of the thread back down and make your straight stitch.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you leave a short space between your starting point, you'll get a tiny, strong stitch. If you make a long stitch, it will be quick to sew but won't be as sturdy as a short stitch. Long stitches are great for joining edges or making a noticeably dashed line.
- Stitch length is completely customizable. Create a lot of short stitches if you want a secure line of stitches for embroidery or edges or make your stitches up to ¹⁄₄ inch (0.64 cm) long.
6
Bring the needle back up to make another stitch that's the same length. Once you've made a straight stitch, push the needle back up through the fabric at the end of the stitch. Push your needle down through the fabric to make the next stitch just as long as the first stitch. Repeat the stitch as many times as you want.^{[6]XResearch source}
- Straight stitches are great for sewing edges of fabric together or making an outline for embroidery.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Customizing Your Straight Stitches

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1
Work the running stitch to make a dashed line. Make a straight stitch that's as long as you want and leave a space that's the same size as the stitch. Then, bring your needle up and sew another stitch that's the same size as your first stitch. This creates a few straight stitches with a gap in between them.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Remember that you're stitching up and down to make the running stitch. Don't sew over the edge of your fabric or embroidery hoop or the thread will catch.
2
Make backstitches to create a strong, straight line of stitches. If you'd like a bold line of stitches that are all connected, make 1 straight stitch. Then, push your needle up through the fabric so it's the same distance from the first stitch and bring the needle back and down through the end of the first stitch. Keep bringing the needle forward and back through the stitches.^{[8]XResearch source}
- The backstitch looks like the straight stitch that sewing machines make. It's great for outlining solid embroidery shapes or sewing words.
3
Create vertical straight stitches for the satin stitch. If you're filling an embroidered shape, make a short vertical stitch. Then, make another vertical stitch right next to the first stitch. Keep sewing the stitches so the edges overlap and create a smooth embroidered surface.^{[9]XResearch source}
- Keep your satin stitches less than ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) wide or the stitches could snag.

Expert Q&A

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Question
What's the easiest project that I can do if I just started sewing?
Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.
Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Expert Answer
If you're just starting to sew, the easiest project to tackle is making a simple pouch or a tote bag. Begin by cutting out two matching squares of any size. For a straightforward pouch, sew the sides (starting 1 inch down) and bottoms together inside out. Press the seams open and clip the bottom corners. At the top, fold it down and stitch it around to create a casing for a drawstring, leaving the sides open. Thread any type of string or ribbon through using a safety pin or loop turner, pulling it through to meet at the middle. Flip the pouch inside out for completion.For a tote bag, follow the same steps, but sew the side seams all the way to the top. Flip the tote inside out to attach the straps either inside or outside the tote. Reinforce the straps by sewing the edge of the strap handle down in a square shape with an x going through it. This simple project allows for practice with basic sewing techniques and results in a useful finished product.
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Question
How do I properly sew a straight stitch?
Maudy Paden
Sewing & Tailoring Expert
Maudy Paden is a Sewing & Alterations Specialist based in Sarasota, Florida. She provides a tailoring concierge service, where she offers in home/office fittings and pick up/delivery for alterations. She has over 30 years of sewing experience. Before starting her business in Florida, she ran her clothing alteration shop for 14 years in Vermilion, Ohio. Maudy has a wide tailoring repertoire; wedding dressings, formalwear, suiting, professional clothing, off-the-rack, ready-to-wear, clothing repairs, and patches all fit her skill set. In all her work, she follows the high-quality standard outlined by the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals. She received an MA in Lay Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and a BA in Religious Studies from Wittenberg University.
Maudy Paden
Sewing & Tailoring Expert
Expert Answer
Start by threading the needle and bringing it up from the underside of the fabric. Then, push the needle down through the fabric, forming a straight line. Repeat this process, maintaining even stitches along the desired seam or edge. Aim for a standard of 10 to 12 stitches per inch, but adjust according to the project's requirements and the outcome you wish to achieve.
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Tips

You don't have to make the thread blend into your fabric. For a fun embellishment that stands out, choose bold-colored thread that complements the fabric.
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Warnings

Be careful not to poke your fingers with the sharp needle. If you frequently stick yourself, put a thimble onto your index finger when you sew.
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